Today’s writing prompt comes in two parts. Before writing on this prompt, I have a suggestion. Do a little relaxation first. Just for a few minutes. Use your own method or follow this method: Relax into your chair. Feet flat on the floor. Hands loose, resting on your thighs. Take a big, deep breath in, feel your chest expand. Let it out like a deflated balloon. Another deep breath in. And release. This time, when you take a deep breath in, bring your shoulders up to your ears. Shrug them down hard with the out breath. Another one. Let your head drop forward on your chest. Rest there for a moment. Rotate your head in a circle. Opposite direction. As you read about the next prompt, please place the palm of your writing hand on any place in your body that calls for attention. If you can’t put your hand…
Category: Prompts
While you were out. Prompt # 263
If you are of a certain age, you might remember those little pink telephone message notepads, “While you were out.” Back in the days when executives had secretaries, and before answering machines, we would fill out these forms with information: Who the message was for. The date. Who called and why. There were little boxes to check: Telephoned. Came to See You. Returned your call. Please call. Will call again. Wants to see you. And my favorite, “Urgent.” I don’t know why it’s my favorite, perhaps it appeals to the dramatic aspect. And there is a larger space to write a message. Today’s Prompt: While you were out. A variation of this prompt: The red light is blinking on the telephone answering machine. Or “you have one new message” on your cell phone. You hit “play” or “voice mail” and listen. You are shocked to hear. . . I can…
Worst and Best . . . Prompt #262
Think about this past weekend . . . this past week . . . this past month. Take a few minutes to reflect how things have gone, are going. When you are ready, write about the worst thing that happened to you this past weekend, or week, or month. When you are done with that, write about the best thing that happened to you this past weekend, or week, or month. Worst and Best. Just write.
Found . . . Prompt #261
Found. What do you think of when you hear the word “Found?” Some Thing you found somewhere? Something you discovered about yourself? You found you had . . . fill in the missing piece. Something you lost and then found? Today’s writing prompt: Found.
Yard Sale Find, But . . . Prompt #260
What kind of writing prompts do you like? Let me know and I’ll see if I can create prompts to meet your desires. Today’s writing prompt is inspired by one of my all-time favorite authors, Hal Zina Bennett. What if . . . During a long car trip, you stop at a yard sale in a strange town and find an interesting picture frame. It holds the photo of a familiar face —your fiancé’s or fiancée’s! There’s a passionate inscription to a stranger, dated three weeks ago. Write about what happens next. From “40 Prompts To Get You Writing,” The Writer Magazine, February 2012. Hal Zina Bennett is the author of more than 30 books including: Write From the Heart: Unleashing the Power of Your Creativity; Write Starts: Prompts, Quotes & Exercise to Jumpstart Your Creativity; and Writing Spiritual Books: A Bestselling Writer’s Guide to Successful Publication. Hal has helped…
Someone Who Is Always There For You Prompt #259
Write about someone who is always there for you. Or someone who needs you. I thought of this prompt when reading the quote from To Kill a Mockingbird: “I was to think of these days many times. Of Jem, and Dill…and Attticus. He would be in Jem’s room all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.” Let me (Marlene) know if you have a favorite quote. . . I can use quotes for writing prompts and for Tuesdays – Quote Day on The Write Spot Blog.
Stumped for writing ideas? First lines . . . Prompt #258
First lines from books can make good writing prompts. “There was death at its beginning as there would be death again at its end.” The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans “Whenever my mother talks to me, she begins the conversation as if we were already in the middle of an argument.” The Kitchen’s God’s Wife by Amy Tan “I woke up to find the message in my left hand.” Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox “I drove up to the restaurant and parked, then leaned back in my seat to think for a moment.” The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield “We used to stay in bed most of the weekend” My Dream of You by Nuala O’Faolain “Take care to chop the onion fine.” Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel Click here for more first lines for writing prompts.
Antique inspires transportive writing . . . Prompt #257
Choose an old object from your home. If you don’t have one, find a picture of an antique. Imagine that when you touch the object, you are transported to its original time and place. Where are you? What happens? How do you interact with the object? What emotions does the object evoke? Prompt inspired from Rochelle Melander, excerpt in The Writer Magazine, February 2012
Glimpse through the fog. Prompt #256
Writing Prompt: Glimpse through the fog. Set your timer for 15-20 minutes. Write whatever comes up. Keep writing until the timer rings, or until the fog lifts. Yeah, that might take awhile.
Know your characters intimately. Prompt #255
How to flesh out fictional characters . . . Give them depth . . . Get to know them intimately. Let’s say your fictional character has just received devastating news such as a job loss, death of a family member or close friend. How does he react? What are her immediate thoughts? What actions does he take next? Imagine your fictional character had an epiphany about a betrayal, a loss, an old grievance. . . something new has been revealed. What does he or she do? Take a few minutes to write about the purpose this character serves in the story. Ready? Just write!